Meow.
The girls had decided to get dressed together and were having a jolly good time doing so, too. "You look sweeter than honey," Madam Red exclaimed, pinching Natasha's rosy cheeks. Ciel's bodacious aunt had taken on the task of dressing Sebastian's daughter and went a little overboard, at least in her victim's opinion she did.
Natasha hated it when her sisters dressed her, but Madam Red inflicted absolute torture.
Ran-Mao nodded silently in agreement, running her fingers softly through Natasha's curls. She had decided not attend the ball, being that she had other business to take care of and opted instead to style dark ringlets into Natasha's hair and helping Madam Red into her party dress.
Natasha felt uncomfortable and was itching to take off the catastrophe she was wearing. Her dress was a pastel yellow, reached down to her ankles and had short, slightly puffed sleeves. The bertha-styled neckline was modest, showing off her collarbones, and was aligned with lace and sunny faux-roses. Those same roses decorated her hair in an adorable headband. A light eggshell-colored silk ribbon was wrapped under her bosom, and the rest of her dress was embroidered with lace. A thin, gold chain was fastened around her neck.
"Was a corset really necessary? I thought girls had to wear them after they turned fourteen, I'm eleven!" she struggled to say. "This damn thing is too tight!" She bent over and stared at the roses on her small heeled feet, trying to control her breathing.
"You'll learn to appreciate corsets someday," Madam Red laughed, pointing to her own hourglass figure. "On the right woman, they can make her look irresistible!"
Natasha couldn't even attempt to argue with her, because well.. She was right. Madam Red did look very nice. Her dress was a blood-red, strapless ensemble, lined with black ruffles and various pick-ups. The corset accentuated her voluptuous silhouette beautifully. She wore a few accessories, such as a shiny white fur trim around her shoulders and a stylish black hat with a large, white feather attached to it. Her outfit wouldn't have been complete without her lace fan, her arm-length black gloves and her ruby choker.
"Make me pretty," she winked at Ran-Mao. Grinning, the Chinese woman began her hunt for the appropriate products and rummaged through the pretty containers on the vanity in Madam's Red's room. Since she was constantly in London because of her work, Ciel had been kind enough to let her have her own bedroom in his townhouse.. Complaining to her nephew on a daily-basis about having to leave her own home to come all the way to London to stay in hotels helped her case, too.
"As if you even need all that stuff on your face," Natasha scoffed, smiling as she shook her head. "My sisters would kill for skin like your's. They're obsessed with being young forever, but I doubt they'll succeed."
"You have sisters?" Madam Red asked, as her 'makeup artist' powdered her face. "I had no idea you had siblings. How many do you have?"
Oh no. I think I said too much.. "Uhm," she racked her head for a good excuse. "I have three older half-sisters," she finally said. "I'm Sebastian's only daughter with my mother, though."
The older woman nodded. "So that would make you the youngest," Madam Red stated and then beamed at her happily, "How cute! I was the baby in my family, too! It's fun being spoiled, am I right?"
"Of course, who wouldn't like to be spoiled?" Then she frowned and nonchalantly said, "They like to complain about me, though. One of my sister's said they spoiled me rotten, but that wouldn't be my fault. It's not like I throw tantrums to get what I want. My family gives me everything willingly."
Madam Red smiled warmly at the young girl, who reminded her so much of herself when she was a child. "Ran-Mao and I will take a while.. Why don't you see if Sebastian is finished with Ciel? It's almost been an hour since we started getting dressed, they shouldn't have much longer to go."
xx
Natasha hadn't bothered to knock on Ciel's door before she walked inside, unannounced and was a little disturbed at what she saw. Ciel was bent over, making the oddest sounds of discomfort and her father was standing behind the young teen. They hadn't noticed her stealthy entrance yet and Natasha took advantage of that to analyze the scene in front of her.
She cringed, Ciel was practically naked! He was wearing underwear, thankfully, but he also wore white stockings and a gauzy white skirt. On his feet were pretty heeled, knee-high boots, which had roses on them just like her shoes, the only difference was that his were striped with black and white.
"Are you trying to kill me?" Beads of sweat were streaming down his forehead. "My organs are going to fall out!"
Sebastian's face was unconvinced. "No woman has ever been recorded to have had her organs fall out because of a corset," he argued. Mine almost did, Natasha thought, remembering how Madam Red used brute force to make her spine crack. She held a small candle of sympathy for Ciel, though she still wasn't sure why he was wearing one in the first place.
"Just because it hasn't been recorded doesn't mean it hasn't happened!"
Clearly annoyed, her father pulled the ribbons tighter, successfully producing a croak from his young master. "Almost done."
Natasha watched as her father dressed Ciel in three more layers of skirts, each one giving him a more shapely figure. Unfortunately, her control was lost after Sebastian put the actual dress on him. Sebastian was placing a long lock of curled hair on the side of Ciel's head when he noticed his daughter, leaning on the wooden door, covering her face in her hands.
"Natasha!" he gasped, watching as her shoulders shook violently. Ciel turned around, fast as lighting and stared at the young demon. Dammit, he thought to himself, I'll never hear the end of this.
She was trying really hard to act like a professional, really she was.. But this was a little too much. The three of them stared at each other for a few more seconds before Natasha fell on her hands and knees, laughing euphorically. Ciel was wearing makeup!
"I-I can't do this," she choked out, humorous tears rolling down her pink cheeks. "T-This was your master plan?" She dared herself to look up. Natasha gazed at Ciel's pigtails, and immediately burst out laughing again. "I can't breathe!" She giggled violently, tears clouding her vision. "You're even wearing a little hat!"
Sebastian held in a chuckle, seeing the amusement clear as day on his daughter's face. Ciel, on the other hand, was mortified. Natasha coughed, holding her sides where the corset was poking her ribs, "Daddy, it hurts!"
The young earl silently walked up to the girl on the floor and smiled politely, and helped her to her feet. "Well, don't you look adorable," he crooned sarcastically, pinching her cheeks.
Her temper flared and she raised both of her hands to pinch his cheeks in retaliation. "Me? No, you! You'll be the bell of the ball for sure," she hissed.
"You flatter me," he answered, pinching tighter. "There really is not competition!" He narrowed his eyes at her.
The older demon in the room laughed quietly as the fought, trading snide compliments with each other.
xx
"A lady shouldn't frown," Sebastian chided Ciel. He was dressed as a dashing teacher and sat in the carriage in between Lau, who came as himself, on his left and Natasha on his right. Opposite of them sat Madam Red and the young master.
"He's right," the Madam Red nodded. "Take Natasha and I for example! We're as happy as can be right, my dear?"
Natasha nodded stiffly, "O-Of course. It doesn't matter that we can't breathe properly or sit down comfortably." The carriage hit a small bump in the road and the three ladies winced as their corsets poked them harshly. "That didn't hurt at a-all," she coughed, smiling forcefully. "Did you feel anything, Madam Red?"
Madam Red's face looked strained, but slightly. "Not at all!" She laughed and looked at her nephew, "Ciel?"
The boy's face was a mask of extreme discomfort, but to his credit, he tried to enforce a happy farce and shook his head prettily. He batted his eyes awkwardly at Madam Red and replied with a simple, "Hn, nothing at all."
The carriage came to a stop and the man driving opened the door, apologizing profusely for the abrupt jump. "The street was made of cobblestone," he sighed. "I didn't think it would be so rocky."
"It's alright," Sebastian answered, helping Madam Red disembark. "The ladies suffered the brunt of it," he smiled at Ciel, then at Natasha and winked. They glowered at him hatefully.
"Natasha and Ciel will be my nieces visiting from the country," Madam Red grinned. "Sebastian will pose as their tutor. . And Lau doesn't have to associate himself with us at all!"
Upon arriving at the entrance, Madam Red was immediately flocked to by noblemen and women. She introduced her 'nieces' and was soon led away by the group along with Lau. In the meantime, Ciel, Natasha and Sebastian were scouting for the viscount, when they heard an unmistakable squeal.
"Your dress is simply divine!"
Their eyes widened comically.
"Elizabeth? What is she doing here?!" Ciel blanched at the sight of his fiance in a red, frilly dress, talking animatedly with two ladies.
Lady Elizabeth turned her head slightly and her attention was nabbed by the two girls in pink and yellow. She shouted happily, "You there!" Her gloved-hand waved at them, "I adore both of your outfits!" She picked up the skirt of her dress and was racing towards Natasha and Ciel.
Natasha laughed, "Imagine the scandal if she recognizes you? The Great Earl Phantomhive, wearing a dress!"
"Not if we evade her," Sebastian said, "Just like this." He grabbed them both by the hand and into the crowded dance floor. "It's not uncommon for students and their tutors to dance together," he stated, after taking note of Ciel's frown. He twirled his daughter and his young master all the way across the room, far from Elizabeth within five songs. The ballroom was very large, after all.
"Are you tired already, young mas-young mistress?" Sebastian caught himself quickly, looking pointedly at Ciel. "I thought the two of you had more stamina than that," he frowned looking over as Ciel, keeled over on the floor, breathing heavily with Natasha at his side, in no better condition.
Irritated and feeling rather hot, Natasha growled. "Why don't you try dancing nonstop in a body-breaking corset and a heavily-layered dress with toe-crunching heels, Fath-Professor Michaelis!"
"I was helping," he argued, as he pulled the two up on their feet and pushed them towards their target, Viscount Druitt. "Besides, I had a good excuse. Our man is right over there."
"Lizzy's coming!" Natasha exclaimed, watching the blonde as she barreled her way through the crowd. She was already halfway there and picking up speed.
Ciel frowned and stood on his toes, searching for her. "I don't see Elizabeth anywhere," he gave a small jump in an attempt to get more height, but still couldn't find her.
Natasha smirked, "My eyesight is better than your's." It was true. Heightened senses were a blessing granted onto all demons, and Natasha was no exception.
"I shall distract her," Sebastian said and disappeared into the crowd.
"Now," Natasha said facing Ciel. "Your plan is to seduce him, right? Do you want me to come along? Or would you rather I stayed close by and let you handle him on your own?" She laughed, and watched as Ciel glared icily at her and walked away, not bothering to answer her question.
She shrugged and stayed away from him, a few yards behind. She watched as Ciel approached the viscount confidently and he whispered into Ciel's ear. Natasha almost lost it when the viscount wrapped his arm around Ciel's waist and faintly heard him say, "You're a precious little robin, aren't you?" She stifled her laughter at the look in Ciel's eyes, as the perverted man caressed his hips.
I almost feel sorry for him, she thought to herself. Within several minutes, Natasha realized she was growing rather impatient and very bored. How much longer will this have to take?
With a groaned, Natasha found herself moving hastily towards Viscount Druitt and when she was close enough, she draped herself onto the viscount's free arm and sighed, "Why are you keeping him to yourself, Ciel? I thought- I was hoping we could share him."
The viscount was shocked at her brazen statement, but soon smiled. "So the robin has a friend, does she? A mysterious little raven, nonetheless!"
"Raven?" she batted her eyes innocently at him, analyzing his features. Viscount Druitt was a very pretty man, as she had previously been told, but behind that pretty face was a despicable person. His hair was ash blond and shiny, his eyes were a warm lavender, his skin was lightly-tanned and resembled porcelain. With those looks, he could get away with murder. . He probably already has."Robins are bland, don't you think? They're absolutely boring. The proof is shown in my cousin. She has zero personality and you must be dying having to speak with her," Natasha complained. "Wouldn't you rather take flight with the raven?"
He laughed and linked his arm with Natasha's. "Nonsense, there's plenty of me to go around. The young robin is quiet, but I have a feeling that whenever the little raven shows up, they both get their feathers ruffled."
Ciel and Natasha shared a look. "We're both dreadfully bored," Ciel sighed and began flirting again, "You're the host. Entertain us, Lord Aleister Chambers."
"Yes," Natasha agreed, "Entertain us."
"You are both quite young, especially you, little raven." They raised their brows at him, exaggerating their boredom. "But, I suppose I can make exceptions for today." Viscount Druitt led them away and into a secluded hall draped with black curtains. He sang an odd tune to himself and didn't seem to pay either of his companions much attention, if any.
Natasha smirked at Ciel and whispered, "What took you so long? My father could have seduced him faster than that! I'm practically a child and I managed to do it whole lot quicker than you."
Ciel narrowed his eyes at her and whispered back, "I already had him before you came along! He was thoroughly buttered up and then the 'little raven' showed up!"
"Are you seriously gloating about successfully seducing a man, Ciel?" she giggled and was soon laughing loudly.
"What are my pretty birds chirping about?" The viscount laughed. "I want to know your secrets, too!"
Natasha glowered at him momentarily and then giggled, "Don't be so nosy in the business of children, viscount."
He pushed them through a black door and sighed, "Alright, alright. I won't intrude into your secrets. . As long as you keep your mouth shut about mine." He forcefully shoved them down a few steps.
"What are you-" Ciel stumbled forward. Before he hit the floor, Natasha grabbed his arm. She could faintly make out some sort of mist covering the large, dark room and inhaled the strange gas through her nose. It made her feel uncomfortable and she quickly slumped down against the wall. Ciel became limp and was soon unconscious.
"You bastard," Natasha hissed, before her closing her eyes.
A smirk spread across the viscount's face and he caressed their faces, "Children shouldn't be involved in the games that adults play."
It's been a little while, but I managed to finish this up for you guys :)